Weekend Meme: Halloween Meme

I think I'll be quite busy today creating a costume and go get some a pair of long johns which I though I have. Also, I'll be baking some Halloween themed pumpkin pies.

Still deciding whether I want to attend the Henry David Ball once again or not. I'm very excited about it, but if the boyfriend doesn't want to go the whole experience will be not as stellar and I'd be more inclined to do what he wants instead. I'm kinda whipped that way.

Today's meme is from Erik at Gambrinous with Griffonage, I guess now the circle is complete.

1. What is your favorite written work of horror fiction?
I used to be a big fan of a Chinese horror magazine called Ghost World that get published once a week. It's full of horror stories. Other than that I couldn't say I've read a lot of horror.

2. What is your favorite written work of science fiction/fantasy?
Can't say I've read a lot of science fiction either. For fun, I usually read mystery thrillers.

3. Who is your favorite monster?
The gingerbread man in Shrek. King Kong is also quite cute.

4. What is your favorite Horror movie?
Does Interview with the Vampire counts? It's not very scary. The gay slasher film Hellbent was also tons of fun.

5. What horror movie gives you the most chills?
I guess The Ring. A crawling girl all wet and with her hair covering her face and sharp teeth is quite creepy.

6. What character from any horror film would you most like to play?
If I can choose someone to be, I'd probably choose to be a vampire. A gay vampire like Armand in Interview with the Vampire. Too bad he can't turn into a bat and fly.

7. Freddy or Jason?
Freddy. It's more imaginative and there's humor in Freddy but not with Jason.

8. What is your favorite Halloween treat?
Riesen. Chocolate wrapped caramel is hella addictive. I usually wouldn't buy any because it's like poison and I can't stop until I finish the whole bag and I'd feel real bad if I do. Usually I'd buy a bag if there are kids around where I can give them away, but since I live in a childless apartment building I guess I won't.

9. Ghosts or goblins?
I'm not too sure what is the question. Ghosts are scary but can't cause physical harm, goblins aren't quite scary but they can touch and harm you. I'd rather be a ghost and probably I'd rather meet a ghost more than a goblin. So I'd choose ghosts...?

10. Friendly-faced jack-o’-lantern or scary one?
Scary ones, if not why bother?

11. What is your scariest encounter with the paranormal?
Hearing all the ghost stories do gives one paranoia but I haven't had any paranormal encounters.

12. Do you believe in ghosts? Why or why not?
Yes, I'd like to believe there's something left after one dies, sounds good in theory.

13. Would you rather be a zombie, alien, or psycho?

I guess an Alien if they have unusual weapons or powers. Otherwise being a psycho is quite empowering. Zombie doesn't have much intelligence or free will, they act like a herd of sheep, so no.

14. Favorite Halloween costume?
Thus far, I've only wore one and that's last year's Chinese vampire costume that I made myself.

15. Best thing about Halloween?
The unusualness of people wearing costumes on the streets.

16. Person in your family who most likes Halloween (not counting yourself)?
The younger cousins should love to dress up and eat candies. In Hong Kong, only the area where bars cater to foreigners celebrates Halloween, so trendy young'uns might like that too.

17. Are you superstitious?
Depends, I can be quite superstitious in some situations. There are certain customs regarding Chinese religions that I'd rather take heed than intentionally challenge them.

18. Share an unusual Halloween story.
Well, when I first came to the States. I didn't know how much candy I should give away, so I got ready one year and bought a box of white chocolate bar and two boxes of Ferrero Rocher and when the kids came to the house I was living in, I gave each kids 5 white chocolate bars, partly because it wasn't that good and a handful or Rochers. The kids were ecstatic, but then some kids still bargain for more Rochers... lol.

19. What did you do for Halloween as a kid?
Nothing.

20. What’s the best Halloween party that you’ve attended?
Last year's Henry David Ball. It's the second Halloween party of my life. The first one happened earlier that very same night.

Have a great Halloween. I intend to have a lot of fun, hope you will too!

Read more...

Blog Intro: People of Walmart (Parking Lot Edition)

I've entered a haiku contest on 8Asians about 2 weeks ago for 3 little humorous coffee table books and I've won. Actually it's no big deal, they chose 2 winners from merely 3 entries. So almost everybody who bothered to write something gets it. I'm not gonna post my winning entry here since one of the rules is that you have to either use the words "FAIL" or the expression "lol" and I've mistakenly use "lol" as one note instead of spelling out L-O-L, so needless to say, I'm quite embarrassed. All three books are blog related, they are How to Take Over the Wurld, Graph Out Loud and FAIL Nation, total around $30 in value. Not too bad, huh?

I feel like I must post this parking lot edition of People of Walmart. I swear it will be my last post for that site. I feel slightly awful that I'm utilizing so many pictures from them but it has been very enjoyable. So enjoy this very last piece.



Did someone died?


Or did they hang themselves?


Oh deer! I think I see the body.


Do you REALLY like that line that much???


On the other hand, THIS guy can't shut up.


This is what I called a utility vehicle.


Double as a tree house for the kids.


For the imaginative. Is this guy the captain...? My bad thought that was a boat wheel.


Is this where they got the turducken idea?



As if the parking lot is that far away... Who would need valet at freakin' Walmart?


Oops... spoke too soon. Can you spot the nouveau riche?


Um... (speechless)

Read more...

Blog Intro: People of Walmart (Swimsuit Edition)

As I was entering my building yesterday after shopping for groceries, a bunch of people got in the building along with me and one of the 20-something girls touched my sleeve and says "Well, you're cute. What do you think about giving me your number?" I appreciate her compliment and thanked her then blurted out that I'm not interested in girls. She proceed to jokingly refer her male companion to me but by then I'm already out of sight.

At night I went to watch the World Series at a neighborhood gay bar. It was a lot of fun with loud fans huffing and hawing about the game. High-fiving with strangers, a young gentleman rubbed his face against mine right after the 8th inning, he's probably high or drunk that's the only explanation to reason his behavior. I take this sudden act of friendliness to be a compliment.

It's great to be at a place with so many excited people when our team, The Phillies, are winning, I doubt that it'd be fun if "we" are losing. Since the only leather/bear bar in town is rumored to be closing soon with a notice at the front door for proof. This neighborhood sports bar could be a replacement, people seems friendly enough.

These pictures are from People of Walmart. If you haven't check them out yet, do!


Looks like an over-sexified extra on MadMen.


Apparently no one is eating Gilbert's grape or any other fruits or vegetables.


Pregnant stripper?! Do you have to pay extra?


Looks like one of those toys that won't fall.


The silhouette of the body is so altered that it has become inspiring.


My gay brother needs some help.


I hope there's blood circulation somehow.


Laundry Day?


I like a hairy guy but not Sasquatch here trying be normal around humans.


Um, this is attractive, how? Just because it looks funny in a souvenir shop doesn't mean you HAVE to buy it.


Now for some rare eye candy:


Hot!!!

Read more...

Business as Usual

Finally got a new computer. Sorry folks, but it's a PC laptop. After reading your comments, I was tempted to get a mac. But I'm not very familiar with macs and after an unsatisfactory test drive and seeing that $400 hike on the price tag for the lowest cost Macbook, I settled for an Asus laptop instead. Knock on wood but everything seems pretty good for my first day on it. No screaming fan noise after 5 minutes of usage, no crash, everything seems pretty fast. It's a bit bulkier than I expected. a 15.6" screen. The scroll button is a bit awkward plus I'm not very used to Windows 7 but it'll do. I just have to suffer not being able to move as smoothly and as fast playing Bejeweled Blitz but it'll have to do. I swear my next computer purchase will be a Mac, unless Windows 7 is every bit as good as they say it is which is doubtful.

Phew... feel like I'm free again.

Read more...

Digital Blues

It is really some bad juju. My laptop of 5~6 years is going down fast. It's been crashing on and off from yesterday morning. Not good. It tends to crash whenever I do anything that requires a lot of flash memory. Like playing games or just plain browsing online. It hangs to a blue screen saying cache problems and physical dumping memory... etc. I can't usually reboot it until resting it for a few hours.

Actually it kinda happens randomly, even when I put the laptop down for a sec, so it could be hardware and not software. Uninstalled Firefox, did a disc cleanup. I was gonna take it apart and blow the dust off since it's been heating up a bit anyway but then I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to put it back together. It's too bad, I guess I'll have to get a new one.

So maybe I won't be posting anything online for a few days until I decide on a new candidate and acquire it from an online store. If you have any ideas how I can fix or a recommendation of a relatively inexpensive and reliable laptop, please send leave me a message. Thanks.

Read more...

Blog Intro: People of Walmart (Volume 1)

I've been enjoying the blog, People of Walmart. It's a deep dark guilty pleasure. I even thought about going to Walmart with a camera for the sole purpose of taking pictures of potential candidates.

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the establishment for its people. Everybody loves low prices. Though putting mom and pop shops out of business, locking illegal Latinos at night to clean out the store and have them arrested in the morning and using child labors for their products is a bit shall we say unethical?

Well, People of Walmart is a real gem and from the attached pictures, you might understand why I'm promoting it.


The living Elvis and his impostor bodyguard.


Age was never the issue.


God created suspenders, you stretch them to their limits.


Change the color to white and you have your nuthouse costume.


Santa during the rest of the year.


Make no sense buying an expensive dress and just wear it once.


Childcare is not her strong suite.


He wants to be a dog and the floor IS clean.


Rapunzel must have a strong back.


It's all for Halloween.


The Walmart mascot was a girl???

Hope you enjoyed!

Read more...

Weekend Meme: Random Survey For The Bored

This week went by a little fast with the boyfriend studying hard and my dining with the ladies here and there. Halloween was but a week away. I'm getting a little excited thinking about the costume I'm going to create for myself. One week will go by fast.

This week's meme is borrowed from Kwizgiver's blog entitled What If This is As Good As It Gets?. It's the motherlode of memes, quizzes and all things alike.

What is on your desktop wallpaper?
Since my laptop broke down a few months ago, I have yet to reload my old sets of Webshots pictures. Now I have the typical Windows XP sky and grass fields on the background.

What is your favorite zoo animal?
I did enjoy the zoo when I was a kid, my favorite for seeing and feeding the elephant. Do they allow that here? Of course, if I get to go to a zoo that has pandas, like Sue did, my answer might change.

What was your favorite toy as a child?
I'm a big fan of transforming robots and magical armors like Voltron and Saint Seiya. Too bad I wasn't allowed a lot of toys.

What food do you eat too much of?
Chocolate. I love anything chocolatey.

What kind of hairstyle do you have?
Short to medium short. I don't really know how to describe it. Usually I'd gel it up front.

What was your favorite activity in gym class?
A buddy and I invented a game where we'd use two ping pong paddle to keep a badminton shuttle cock up the air. We have our own side of court and try to strike it to the other player's side. It's pretty good cardio.

What is on the shirt you are wearing right now?
It says Drexel University. I needed to feel like I belong.

What is the picture nearest to you of?
It would be a series of portrait on my desktop that I took on Outfest with the boyfriend. They were free portraits taken by a photographer. I never look right in pictures.

What kind of salad dressing do you like?
I like blue cheese, caesar and some vinegar and oil mixes.

Whats your least favorite food?
Dried oysters. Good for broth but it should be discarded immediately after. It's one of the most nastiest thing I've ever tasted.

What do you do on a Sunday night?
Typically, I would watch the fox cartoons with the boyfriend.

If you could only use one condiment on your food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Chinese has a salty ginger scallion oil mixture that really get my appetite going. In a more typical setting, I'd say mayo. I have mayo with rice before. Not something I'd recommend but I'd do it if nothing else is available.

What color are your sheets?
Blue. I have a deep affinity with blue clothing and cloth alike.

How big is your computer display?
About 16 inches.

What pair of shoes do you wear most often?
My sandals. I wear it most of the time unless it's cold in the winter.

What is your favorite game?
I love video games. Corny as it is but World of Warcraft would be my favorite. Though I don't recommend using a laptop for it.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?
I only know turkey and stuffing to be thanksgiving food. Probably rice and gravy if it's available.

What is your favorite pizza topping?
My favorite pizza contains sausage, pineapple, onion and mushrooms. To single out a specific topic, it'd be mushrooms.

What time do you plan on waking up tomorrow?
10ish.

What is your favorite day of the year?
From X'mas eve dinner to opening presents on X'mas day.

Have a great weekend!

Read more...

The Deposition Experience

I have been going to the same barber for the past 8 years. I followed him from one store to another store and now he owns his very own beauty salon. I call him my barber because I already feel embarrassed enough that I go to a beauty salon to get my haircut without calling him my hair stylist or hair dresser. Butch men like me just need a barber. *~*

Well, over the years, we had grown to be friends. I tip well and we got to know each other, I give him extra cash when he get married and when he got kids. He asks for my help whenever there's some wordy letters in English that got sent to him and I've been to his place helping him with his computer and all. So last time when I got my haircut he asked if I was available yesterday early morning. Apparently someone fell in the pavement of his storefront two years ago and is now suing him for money. He needs someone to help translate. It's not like I have anything better to do and I like to help a friend so despite my not doing morning habit, I said yes. Besides, who wants to piss off their own barber, right?

The barber works 7 days a week, 10 hours a day, a hard worker which he needs to be, his third kid will be born in about a week. (He had only been married for 4 years, can you believe it?) The man has not take a single day of vacation since his own store opened 3 years ago, until the recent frequent trips to Brooklyn where his wife is staying with her own family so someone can keep an eye on the other kids. You've got to admire the tenacity, and I do.

So that's what I did, waking up at the god awful hour of 7:30 "AM" to get ready for a 9:00 meeting in my best slacks and shirt, wearing uncomfortable black leather shoes. Kevin didn't give me specific information on the lawsuit. I was more than curious and protective, no one mess with my barber! Since he himself told me that he never saw anyone fell down in front of his storefront, I believe him. It sounded like a trivial lawsuit to begin with, who falls down on the street and sues the store owner. I was brought up in a country where you blame yourself for your own clumsiness and I think most people in Chinatown or even beyond would feel the same way.

But when his lawyer showed me the photos of the pavement circa 2007, it was a little bad. It was obvious more than just uneven, there's a distinctive crack and a lowered portion. Though, obvious enough that anyone who's paying attention when they are walking by could have stepped over it. Plus it was right next to a bicycle rack and regular pedestrians will really have to walk to or from the bike rack to reach that spot. Since my barber had taken out a million dollar insurance, the lawyer and any claims would be paid for so it wasn't the point. With another kid coming and his business, he just doesn't want to take any more time off. Though he has his doubts...

On the day of the supposedly incident, he hasn't seen anything out of the ordinary. No one screamed or yelled. No ambulance, no cops, no nothing. From the pictures, the supposedly victim, a lady in her late 40s was in clutches with a cast on one of her feet. I don't know about you but when I fall, I'm more likely to get my arm fracture from trying to break my fall. How do you exactly break your foot when you fall? And then a guy supposedly the lady's husband or boyfriend took some several pictures by the crack on the pavement. In all these pictures, they both look quite happy. I'm not too sure they are happy because they are conditioned to act that way while getting their own pictures taken or maybe they found a crack that's convincing. Since the victim weren't in any of the pictures by the crack, for all I know that guy could be just some guy making a living by taking pictures next to malformed pavements on the street and resell those pictures.

The deposition took place a few floors below his lawyer's office. There was a court appointed translator present, so my help wasn't exactly needed but my barber feels better with my presence so I stayed. The court appointed translator is a grease ball kinda Asian man in his mid 50s. He was quite a trip; he was chatting up the victim talking about how the younger generation doesn't have much appreciation for the elderly and then trying to tell lame jokes to my barber and all. It was strange and I couldn't stand him much. At the same time, he speaks English with a heavy accent and he couldn't exactly translate correctly. I was really cringing but I couldn't speak in the setting. I wonder how many of these deposition was screwed up because of a bad translator and I'm wondering maybe it's a cause that I should take up. Since my barber has insurance and the lawyer thought it would be quite straight forward there's nothing I needed to say. I can tell that she doesn't care for this case by her uninvolved attitude. Though I still let her know that these kinds of cases happens too frequently in Chinatown in which she says she knows. I guess she rather pay the victim than go through the trouble. There's insurance so no one could blame her. The economy is bad, people have to find creative ways to get paid.

The pavement had since been fixed to perfection, so these things hopefully won't happen again.

Read more...

Let's Go, Phillies!

Philadelphia had been buzzing with the news that our baseball team, the mighty Phillies are almost at the point where they will make the World Series. By the way, what makes that the 'World' series? Not very worldly if you ask me, there are people playing baseball in Japan and Taiwan and... Um, whatever. Well, Philadelphia is quite excited about our team making such prowess. It seems to be THE topic that everyone has lingering on and I don't blame them. Even a person like me who doesn't know much about baseball had learned something and quite proud to acquire some butch facade.

Last year when 'we' won the world series, car were flipped, stores were looted, fans were celebrating like pirates. So since the economy had gone so downwards, I'm thinking about my needs so the time comes, I know which stores to stand around. Too bad we don't have an Apple store in Center City, I would love an air book, a couple of iPhones and iPods if not for the resale value. I'm sure the luggage store learned their lessons from last year and got insurance and some metal gates. To my surprise, they are have helicopters, riding cops and painting lamp posts and tree with grease as a prevention mechanism.



Store front were encouraged to board up their windows on night where there are matches. Out new street corner solar compacters (trash bins) were picked up and replaced by cheaper, harder to climb metal trash baskets that get chained to aforementioned petroleum jelly-greased up lamp posts. All on a night that is not even the World Series finals. I guess we are just looking for an excuse to lash out and riot.

Maybe during the World Series, I can go watch the game at the local bear bar. It's always so much fun to feel the testosterone around you and feel excited along with everyone else. Besides, I should really get something out of the deal if I can't get any looted merchandise for sale. Drunken, excited baseball fan and petroleum jelly on posts should be a killer combination.

Read more...

More Than Meets The Eye

Riding the Halloween costume wave, one of my friend posted this video on Facebook entitled Best Halloween Costume Ever and well it sorta is...



Very impressive indeed, real head lights and plastic. It'd be good to serve as a car dealership's mascot, which he seems to be. After searching around on YouTube, there are others who do it in variant degrees for Halloween and other comic fests too:





Personally I prefer the old style robots. I do remember as kids, me and my cousin had done the very same thing sans costume. We just fold our body into various shapes and call it a vehicle or what have you. I don't think I'll be able to make a workable transformer costume in a million years, but it looks like a lot of fun if not nerdy. lol.

Read more...

The Versatility of Duct Tape

Turns out making a duct tape costume can be quite complicated. Well, I'm still rushing ahead but there is a whole world within the duct tape costume community. People win prizes, scholarships, become prom kings and queens or at the very least, cause a spectacle.

The avid duct tape costume pro would actually create duct tape fabrics and then use the fabrics to tailor a form fit suit or costumes:



Nope, not for me. While I went to the bookstore looking for a book about duct tapes, the store clerk asked me whether I was an art student of sorts. It took some convincing for her to believe that I was just being creative and eccentric. Just look at these people:







More costume can be seen here and here and the tape is also featured quite often here.

I guess you've got to be just a bit crazy to create a costume out of duct tape. It'd be a lot easier to convince people that I'm a psychopath and just buying tapes for easy disposal of a body or two. Well, I'll keep some leftovers. Who knows? Right?

Read more...